About this course: Positive psychology meets K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology and shows how great teachers apply those lessons to maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Through lectures, discussions, interviews and footage of great educators in action, you’ll learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.
Created by: Relay Graduate School of Education
Taught by: Dave Levin, Co-Founder, KIPP; Co-Founder, Relay GSE
| Commitment | 10-15 hours of videos and assessments |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Serbian, Chinese (Traditional) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Your Character Journey
Let's begin with an exploration of our own strengths of character... we all have them!
4 videos, 5 readings
- Video: Introduction Video
- Reading: Course Overview
- Video: Welcome to Teaching Character
- Reading: Course Survey
- Reading: 24 Character Strengths
- Video: 24 Character Strengths - Interview with Dr. Martin Seligman
- Video: Practice Optimism
- Reading: Rank What Matters Most
- Reading: The VIA
Graded: Compare the Two Rankings
WEEK 2
The Science of Character
This module explores the research base that supports the teaching of character.
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: PERMA - Interview with Dr. Martin Seligman
- Reading: An Excerpt from 'Authentic Happiness'
- Video: Positive Institutions
- Video: Self-Control - Interview with Dr. Walter Mischel
- Video: Practice Goal Setting
- Video: Grit - Interview with Dr. Angela Duckworth
- Video: Character Ed. History - Interview with Mayme Hostetter
- Video: Who Should Learn Character? - Interview with Dominic Randolph
Graded: Character Reflection
WEEK 3
Teaching Character in Every Moment
Character education starts with an intentional approach to every human-to-human interaction.
10 videos
- Video: Micro-Moment Triangle
- Video: Constructive Responding
- Video: Growth Mindset - Interview with Dr. Carol Dweck & Dr. Greg Walton
- Video: Character Behavior Language
- Video: Survey on the Micro-Moment
- Video: Practice Micro-Moments
- Video: Micro-Moment Triangle in Action
- Video: Micro-Moment Case Study: Kevin
- Video: Micro-Moment Case Study: Nina, Part I
- Video: Micro-Moment Case Study: Nina, Part II
Graded: Responding with Micro-Moments
WEEK 4
Macro Structures
Create a plan for teaching character and then work every day to make it happen.
8 videos
- Video: Teaching Character with Macro Structures
- Video: Macro Structure Case Study: Silver
- Video: Practice Macro Structures
- Video: Dual Purpose
- Video: Dual Purpose Case Study: Mitch, Part I
- Video: Dual Purpose Case Study: Mitch, Part II
- Video: Dual Purpose Case Study: Jessica & Patrick, Part I
- Video: Dual Purpose Case Study: Jessica & Patrick, Part II
Graded: Dual Purpose Lesson Objective
Graded: Midterm Exam
WEEK 5
Talking About Character Growth
No one ever masters something like grit or gratitude; the goal is to integrate those lessons into our daily lives.
5 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Return to Gratitude Practice
- Video: Character Growth Card
- Reading: Growth Card Resource
- Video: The Science of the Growth Card
- Video: Growth Card in Action
- Reading: KIPP's Approach to Character in the News
- Video: Ready to Teach Character
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
Graded: Preparing to Teach Character
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Relay Graduate School of Education
Relay Graduate School of Education is a ground-breaking graduate school with an innovative Master's degree program designed specifically to respond to today's urgent demand for effective and successful teachers.
Ratings and Reviews
A very inspiring course, especially for teachers of K-12 education.
This is such a practically useful course, that has really helped me in the classroom - regardless of the age of the child! Thank you to all those who made this course possible!
Very good new perspective...
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2017 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
AW
I feel that I learned a lot from this course. I will try to use the lessons in this course to help my future students.